“At times it seems that protecting the institution is a higher goal than caring for victims” said Deacon Robert Sondag.
Link:https://t.co/m6F45qXtrh?amp=1

That’s the case with the Italian Comboni Missionary Order.

“Money grabbers” were the words shouted at me by the Comboni Vice Superior of their Mother House in Verona to describe victims and survivors.
This verbal abuse took place just after I had met my childhood abuser, Fr.Nardo – he stated he was “very very sorry” – I then forgave him.

]]>https://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/15/you-and-your-lot-are-all-money-grabbers/feed/0markmurray1Our Own Way Through Hell – The Person They Killed –Extracts from Boy X’s Last Letterhttps://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/14/extracts-from-boy-xs-last-letter/
https://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/14/extracts-from-boy-xs-last-letter/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 20:59:29 +0000http://veronafathersmirfield.com/?p=3289I suppose we all have, to a great extent, to find our own way through the hell that was forced on us by being abused and by being the captives of a system, a religion, that has always been about control. control of the mind by means of instilling fear, shame and guilt.

When it comes to Mirfield, I must admit that my thoughts and feelings are full of confusion and contradictions.

There are things I hate about Mirfield and there are things I love. I can understand why others who were fortunate enough to not be victims of the abuse, have fond memories of Roe Head. The more I remember my early days there, before the abuse started, which ruined my life, the more I know I was once in a place where I was happy. I certainly was not aware of any of the points I made earlier about theism and organised religion, so that didn’t bother me. I suppose that was a case of ‘ignorance is bliss’.

I can see the possible benefits that revisiting Mirfield might bring, perhaps the possibility of exorcising some demons. I suppose it would all depend on the intent of the visit. But there is another side to it,something that frightens me even more. I feel that if there is any place in this world that might throw me into still further confusion it would be Mirfield. I ask myself if I really want to revisit a place and time where a big part of me still is.

I know this may sound rather off the wall, but I am still drawn to the good things, the good memories. I know that this is a case of emotion defeating reason but perhaps it might have something to do with my memories of the good things being so much in contrast with the bad things, the good things representing the former me,the person I was, the person they killed. That person I was, would have grown into a better person with a different life than the disaster that my life became.

The more I remember my former self the more I long to return to 1963 when I first set foot in Roe Head. It was a wonderful time of my life and I miss it so much. Something I have said before, something that still remains with me, it’s strange how long suppressed memories from over half a century ago escape when allowed to and become just as vivid as things right now . Perhaps it’s better to try and keep them securely locked away even though that doesn’t really help deal with the problem.

The faces of friends are as clear as they were then and with that comes that realisation it’s where I have have been all along. I do understand the problem. It’s like never growing up ,never growing old, never moving on, never maturing, just transforming into the unacceptable.It’s being back in a world never really left. It has always linguered there somewhere in my mind but now can become as real as today’s reality. It all comes to life . Forever looking for something lost, something stolen,something precious and irreplaceable.

I did go through a phase just recently when I welcomed remembering more of the good things because it did seem to bring some comfort, But now, it only brings feelings of despair. Despair in knowing that it’s all gone. I don’t know what else to say. Perhaps I’m mourning my dead self, as someone suggested. So that is my dilema. I’m not sure I could face going to Roe Head only to find an empty, bare landscape. It’s the same with reunions. I don’t know that I could face meeting again those I remember from Mirfield and by doing so have to then face the stark reality that Roe Head and my friends are gone forever. It’s just all confusion but I suppose I should be thankful that I am aware of the problem regardless of how painful that is.

]]>https://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/14/extracts-from-boy-xs-last-letter/feed/0markmurray1BISHOP SCICLUNA, I LIVE IN HOPEhttps://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/14/bishop-scicluna-i-live-in-hope/
https://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/14/bishop-scicluna-i-live-in-hope/#respondWed, 14 Nov 2018 11:58:12 +0000http://veronafathersmirfield.com/?p=3277I live in hope Bishop Scicluna that the Comboni Order will listen to you this time.

I would like you to take a special interest in the document that Vincent Nichols handed, three years ago, to the Vatican outlining 1000 crimes of sexual abuse by Comboni missionary priests at their child UK seminary.

The USA bishops had apparently intended to bring in a strong policy to hold their bishops accountable in regard to the abuse of minors. The Vatican has stepped in to prevent this happening. After this can anyone still believe that those in the Vatican see the accountability of church leadership as a priority? This latest objection by the Vatican Congregation for Bishops to the implementation of strong accountability measures in the USA mirrors the reaction, by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to the PCPM recommended accountability tribunal in 2015.

The accountability measure recommended by the PCPM included a change in Canon Law which would cede power to discipline bishops from the Pope to the CDF. The Pope approved this as he announce the tribunal would go ahead as recommended. As we know it never happened as the CDF found Canon Law problems and insisted it was not necessary anyway as enough provisions were already there.

In August in Dublin Pope Francis insisted to me that a new accountability process, in line with his moto proprio ‘As a Loving Mother’ was being implemented and bishops were being held accountable by him. This new process he told me is not consistent across all bishops but has different standards according the culture of the bishop. He later dismissed the concerns I had expressed about this as a “fixation” on accountability. Behind the Vatican objections is their absolute conviction that Canon Law is more important than any other consideration. Having an inability to accept that if any law prevents proper child protection and discipline of negligent leaders then it has to change. Christ did not write Canon Law men did and men can change it. All that is needed is the will to do so.

The current situation is untenable. Ad hock investigations taking place in some cases and different sanctions or none at all being determined by the “culture” of the bishop. As we saw at the recent Synod there are many bishops who cannot agree what constitutes abuse or even deny it is happening in their “culture”.

It is up to the Pope and his Vatican departments to cease pandering to these attitudes and drop their own fixation with Canon Law. They have to make it clear that every church leader must accept what constitutes child abuse and then enforce universal, strong best practice child protection policies including consistent sanctions for any bishop or other church leader failing to protect the vulnerable. In February The Pope should present the leaders of the world’s bishops’ conferences with three documents – all to be made public:

1. A paper setting out what constitutes abuse of a minor in clear and unambiguous terms.

3. An accountability policy setting out clearly the sanctions which will be applied to any bishop ignoring 1 & 2 and failing to protect minors or covering for an abuser.

Every representative at the meeting should be requested to sign and accept that their region will abide by these documents. If any refuse then this fact and their reasons for doing so should be made public. No more obsession with secrecy. In the future all findings of guilt in regard to any church leader and the sanction being applied must be made public. There has to be an end to the fear of scandal and the culture of unexplained “resignations”. If none of this happens then it is up to the Catholic faithful to raise their voices and refuse to accept the maneuverings of these men in their clerical bubble.

What Questions does the Church Need to Answer if They Wish to Keep Children and Vulnerable Adults safe from Harm and Improve Justice for Victims/Survivors?

These would be Mine:

Why are the strongest possible safeguarding policies, with the strength of canon law behind them, not being implemented in every diocese and congregation around the world? The USA is the only country to have a policy which is normative but every child is equally precious, where he or she lives should not decide whether they will be safe or left at risk of harm.

Why are there no robust transparent structures in place to hold accountable those in leadership who protect a predator? These structures should hold all fully accountable with strong sanctions for the guilty – dismissal from their post, removal of their titles and privileges and if necessary laicization.

How can the Church on the one hand claim to be on the side of the victims/survivors while at the same time fighting against the removal of statutes of limitation in various countries. If removed or dropped more accused could be criminally prosecuted and if guilty the victims/survivors receive justice? The actions are contrary to the words – why?

Why is real zero tolerance not in place globally to ensure any priest who sexually abuses a child is removed from the church immediately. If there is no canon law provision in existence to do this then why not bring in a new law?

Why is the Pontifical Secret used in cases of abusing priests’ canon law trials, this restricts victims/survivors legal rights to information, files etc. The Pontifical Secret was not intended to be used in his way. A year ago the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors recommended its removal from these cases but it is still in place. Why?

]]>https://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/13/the-accountability-of-church-leaders-by-marie-collins-13th-november-2018/feed/0markmurray1Cardinal Nichols, Comboni victims and survivors are suffering.https://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/12/cardinal-nichols-comboni-victims-and-survivors-are-suffering/
https://veronafathersmirfield.com/2018/11/12/cardinal-nichols-comboni-victims-and-survivors-are-suffering/#respondMon, 12 Nov 2018 15:54:21 +0000http://veronafathersmirfield.com/?p=3271Cardinal Nichols, you took a document of 177 pages relating to an estimated 1000 acts of sexual abuse at the Comboni Order, Uk, child seminary, and handed it to the Vatican CDF. We wait for yours, and the Church’s response to the document.

Comboni victims and survivors are suffering. We want to be listened to.

I want the Combonis to repent for what they have put many men that were abused by their priests through. Repent. Turn around. Treat victims and survivors with understanding, love and empathy. Not hate and intimidation. We were chidren.